Korean Job Discussion Forums

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Hmmm... I guess I'm left to play apologist this time.

It's a glaring cultural difference. Koreans see subways and trains as a place that should be quiet, especially since a lot of them like to sleep there. Westerners get bored on long subway rides, so we like to talk. Since it's acceptable for us, we can get pretty loud. Sometimes much louder than Koreans like.

Next time you're on the subway, shut up and listen. Most of the time it'll be pretty quiet.

I'm not saying don't talk at all, but it'll make your life a lot easier if you just keep it down a bit.

I'm a loudmouth myself, so I don't really like this either.

SarcasmKills · Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

Next time a guy on the subway tells you to shut up, tell him to sit with his legs together.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

It hasn't happened to me, but it has happened to Korean friends of mine who were speaking English. Their explanation is that some Koreans are jealous of other's ability. Some consider English-speaking Koreans to be showing off if they speak English in public.

Clearly, the obsession to learn English isn't universal.

candu · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Korean subways - like restaurants and many other public places - are often quite loud. Try taking Line 1 any night of the week, and the only people capable of sleeping through the noise are the ones who are drunk and already passed out. Mornings aren't all that quieter, with very vocal handphone users, salespeople peddling their trinkets, and students yelling and play fighting with one another. Mid-afternoons are usually a little more peaceful, but that is when the subways are seldom full.

I think the "cultural difference" lies in the fact that foreigners - whether they "shut up" or not - attract greater attention than locals, and sometimes it happens to be attention of the negative variety. Some people here (and in other places too, but we are talking about Korea) seem troubled at hearing foreign languages spoken, or possibly more troubled at not being able to tune into what is being said. And, as many have pointed out, more than a few people aren't afraid to verbalize their
feelings about it, especially if they happen to be lit on soju. (And, as many have also pointed out, this is often the case!)

In any event, I've personally been told to be quiet on the subway, train or bus several times over the last few years, and on each occasion I was speaking no more loudly than anybody else; I just happened to look and sound different, and some people didn't like that. I've also been with groups in bars and restaurants where the same thing has happened; in some cases other customers complained how they were bothered at being forced to listen to the "foreigners" speaking English, as if we were doing it to antagonize them...

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Gwangjuboy · Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Location: England

kylehawkins2000 · Joined: 08 Apr 2003

I've had this experience on long bus rides as well. People get pissed off cause you're speaking English. Most Korean's like to sleep on long-distance bus rides (is this a sleep-deprived nation or what??) and for some reason they can tune out the Korean people talking but not people speaking English.

I'm certain that part of it is racism, but some of it is simply that everyone sleeps on the bus. It is pretty quite in general on the buses (and no, I don't mean the city buses).

People in this country don't seem to have much respect for strangers. There seems to be a lack of social conscience. Makes it kinda funny to listen and hear the word "Our" (uri) being used so much. Our country, our teacher, our house, our teacher...etc. There is even the political party called "Our Party". I guess it's the confucianism kickin' in. People tend to reserve their respect for those that are closest to them. Strangers, and perhaps foreign strangers in particular, are about as far as you can get from one's personal 'circle' or family, friends, colleagues, etc.

Being a westerner I naturally find this a very ugly part of the culture.

Homer · Guest

No question people are loud on the subways here sometimes.

However, Lemons' post makes sense (as usual) when he mentionned the fact that the people telling the OP to shut up were probably just idiots.

As for me, this is public transit and it is pacted with people, I find it quite normal that it can get loud sometimes.

I was once told to shut up on a bus to Kyungju. It was a night bus and me and a waeguk friend were yaking it up pretty loud....in that situation everyone but us was sleeping so it was warranted.

Perhaps the OP (coming back from a soccer match right?) and his friends were being extra loud (animated convo perhaps?). This could explain why they were told to shut it....who knows.

Crois · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 2:31 am Post subject:

I just laugh in their face and tell them to Peck off...

Or why in Korean and then just talk as quickly as i usually do and give an evil smile and say I'm British not an American you bastard. Dont give me any shit for being here you dumb ass.

Well i havent actually done this but if i was drunk i would.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

my guess is it was simple intolerance. I've experienced it too. Also seen one or two of my friends in Canada express similar intolerance towards Chinese and others in Canada. Not directly but the attitude was there, like why is their English so poor, or their accent so strange? Or in Vancouver one guy said he was glad to move to another area to get away from all them Chinese. But there were/are a lot of them, whereas some Koreans seem intolerant of the few foreigners here. Anyway we can always go elsewhere I guess, at least for a visit, and find people who speak our language in many places. A great many Koreans cannot communicate with other nationalities. So they have my pity.

lawyertood · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 3:04 am Post subject:

I've been told a few times as well but in all fairness I have seen some young Korean girls be told to be quiet.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

A group of westerners will often make more noise than a group of Koreans- start showing off and laghing loudly etc. Its a group reaction to being isolated in our little orbits, a relief at enjoying english speaking company. Its great actually. But koreans feel threatened by it, they want us to stay in our vulnerable, polite little boxes.